Soil and Landscape Degradation

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

This is an advanced course for master students earth sciences. Present and past concepts of degradation processes of soils and landscapes will be introduced and discussed. These will include the key concepts of soil erosion processes, scale and resilience, as well as the SDG concept of land degradation neutrality, and how our knowledge can be used to achieve the utterly needed sustainable use of soils. Soil erosion, soil formation rates, sediment transfer, and balances in their broadest sense will be treated in detail, as well as management strategies that can be applied to enhance sustainable land use. Case studies will be used to demonstrate how processes can be quantified and influenced by human interventions, including their role in carbon sequestration. Different ways of quantifying soil and landscape degradation will be reviewed.

Study materials

Literature

• R.P.C. Morgan. Soil Erosion and Conservation 3rd edition. Blackwell Publishing.

• Montanarella, 2015. Agricultural policy: Govern our soils, Nature 528, 32–33, doi:10.1038/528032a

• Borrelli et al. 2017. An assessment of the global impact of the 21st century land use change on soil erosion. Nature Communications 8:2013; doi:10.1038/s41467-017-02142-7

• Kust, G., Andreeva, O., Cowie, A., 2017. Land Degradation Neutrality: Concept development, practical applications and assessment. Journal of Environmental Management, 195, 16-24.

  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.10.043

• Poesen, J., 2018. Soil erosion in the Anthropocene: Research needs: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 43, 64-84.

• FAO, 2017, Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

• Montgomery, D. R., 2007, Soil erosion and agricultural sustainability: PNAS, v. 104, no. 33, 13268-13272.

• Turpin, N. et al., 2017. An assessment of policies affecting Sustainable Soil Management in Europe and selected member states: Land Use Policy, 66, 241-249.

• Borrelli, P., Panagos, P., Alewell, C., Ballabio, C., de Oliveira Fagundes, H., Haregeweyn, N., Lugato, E., Maerker, M., Poesen, J., Vanmaercke, M. and Robinson, D.A., 2022. Policy implications of multiple concurrent soil erosion processes in European farmland. Nature Sustainability. doi: 10.1038/s41893-022-00988-4

Other

• Other material (scientific articles) depending on the topic selected

Objectives

• Explain the concepts of degradation processes in relation to geomorphology and soils 
• Present and argue in relation to opinions on examples from soil and landscape degradation problems in a professional environment
• Express the complexity of soil and land degradation problems to argue on possible practical solutions
• Apply and evaluate their knowledge, by means of a literature review on a specific theme related soil and landscape degradation and processes

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

Discussion lectures

In the discussion lectures, the textbook of Morgan will be partly covered as well as state-of-the-art literature (student lecture),  as well as key papers on the specific topics that are to be selected by the students (key paper presentation). Each meeting will include student lectures and key paper presentations, also by students. During the series of discussion lectures, all literature will be handled, and all students have to present their selected key papers in one of the discussion lectures.

Preparation: All students will study the indicated textbook and additional texts in advance as well as the papers related to the student’s selected special topic key paper, that are going to be presented in that lecture.  A detailed schedule will be prepared during the first lecture meeting. The preparation in advance of the discussion lectures is necessary to invoke a discussion on the lecture topics and the presented key papers. Students are requested to present and submit at  least two questions or propositions on the texts (both the textbook/papers AND key papers that are presented by their colleagues

Seminar

During the final seminar, all students will give a short pitch (3 minutes) on the findings of their mini literature review.

Project (mini literature review):

Each student selects a special topic from the list provided on Canvas and writes a mini-literature review on the topic selected. This review is based on a study of at least 14 papers including one or more 'key papers' of which one should also be presented in the discussion lectures. The report should have a size of between 3000-4000 words and should be ready and handed in at the end of the course. Information on topics and guidelines for writing the report can be found on Canvas.

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.

Additional requirements for this course:

Discussion Lectures: Presence is mandatory. When missed more than 2 times you will fail for this part (grade =1.0) and consequently for the course. Let the coordinator know in advance if you cannot attend.

Presenting a lecture topic: Each student has to prepare and give a lecture based on a chapter from the textbook/syllabus

Interim Presentation of key-paper from their mini literature review. Students present a scientific paper (key-paper) related to their selected topic. Students give feedback, the lecturers will give the final grade and feedback.

Final Presentation of mini-literature review (pitch): Presence is mandatory. Students pitch their selected topic individually and students in the audience give feedback, the lecturers will give the final grade and feedback.

Assessment

Each of the parts will be assessed separately.  The final mark should be at least a 5.5 average to pass. There are no re-takes for the discussion meetings and presentations. If deadlines for assignments are not met then the mark will be 1.0 for that assignment. The mini-literature review should at least score a 6.0,  and a revision can be re-submitted in case of a mark <6.0.

Inspection of assessed work

Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

Assignments

Mini literature review

• Write a small review of a topic related to the course (see list of topics on Canvas), between 3000 and 4000 words in size, based on at least 14 scientific papers. This is an individual assignment

Pitch on mini literature review

• Give 3 minutes pitch on the main outcomes of your mini review (individual)

Key paper presentation

• Give a 10 minute presentation on one of your key papers that play an important role in your mini literature review (individual)

Lecture

• Each student will present one of the topics central to the course in the format of a lecture of 30 minutes

Discussion on lectures and key papers

• Each student will pose and submit each lecture 2 questions on the lecture theme and two on one of the key papers presented

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Additional information

Knowledge of geomorphological processes at BSc level is required for enrollment

The course has a minimum enrollment of 8 participants, the maximum is set at 20 students

The course setup has not changed in comparison to last year

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. L.H. Cammeraat

Staff

• dr. L.H. Cammeraat (l.h.cammeraat@uva.nl)